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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGeraldo: Zimmerman "thought he was being a hero. His crime, if it is a crime, is manslaughter."
By Geraldo Rivera
Published April 12, 2012
Unless Ms. Corey has a lot more information than we do, and given the cascade of leaks in this case I doubt that she does, however you read the conflicting accounts of this tragic encounter, Zimmerman was not acting with the depraved indifference to Trayvon Martins life required to support a charge of Murder 2.
Rather, Zimmerman was reckless, overzealous and grossly negligent. He should have held back once warned off by the 911 operator. He should not have tried to be a Super Auxiliary Cop. He should not have drawn his weapon. He should not have fired it, killing an unarmed kid.
But in his defense, Zimmerman thought he was being a responsible citizen, even a hero, protecting his beleaguered community from the latest incident in a sorry epidemic of burglary. He didnt set out to become the poster boy for racial profiling. This was a perfect storm of random circumstances leading to an awful tragedy. His crime, if it is a crime, is manslaughter.
By charging Zimmerman with murder, the special prosecutor has insured that he will garner sympathy and support from a substantial segment of the country, including the enormously powerful gun lobby.
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/04/12/geraldo-rivera-george-zimmerman-should-face-manslaughter-not-murder/
Fawke Em
(11,366 posts)has A LOT more information than we do.
Just off the top of my head, I imagine she has the autopsy report, a ballistics report and forensics collected from the crime scene. And that's just the stuff every murder investigation garners. I'm also willing to bet she has better witness statements and possibly even some surveillance footage (you can't tell me there weren't cameras in a gated community).
After the hoodie comment, you'd think Geraldo would keep his big trap shut.
Amerigo Vespucci
(30,885 posts)He's GOT to inject himself into this story. It's his "Al Capone's Vault" of 2012.
Response to Amerigo Vespucci (Reply #4)
Post removed
Hepburn
(21,054 posts)1. Following the Trayvon when told specifically not to do so; and
2. The racial slur.
JMHO
What racial slur are you talking about?
uppityperson
(115,681 posts)First word is obvious. Second word is a slur of the shortened raccoon.
russspeakeasy
(6,539 posts)a not guilty verdict.
Hepburn
(21,054 posts)The criminal justice system can move cases through the system because most are plea bargained. Thus, the DAs and PAs overcharge in the hopes that a defendant will plead out to a lesser included charge. Nothing new here.
Edit: For typo.
russspeakeasy
(6,539 posts)Prosecutors charge based on what evidence they have that a reasonable jury would likely convict on. If they grossly overcharge, then they are guilty of prosecutorial misconduct, and could face removal from office and disbarrment.
Hepburn
(21,054 posts)I practiced law for a very long time -- now retired.
I have NEVER seen a DA or PA get into trouble for overcharging cases.
They all do it all the time. There are one or two exceptions, but not many.
frazzled
(18,402 posts)The delusions of the killer are not part of a defense. What George Zimmerman "thought" he was doing is irrelevant. It's what he did that matters.
brewens
(13,622 posts)take that into consideration? We definately have quite a few that would probably try it if they had much encouragement.
Amerigo Vespucci
(30,885 posts)Right, Geraldo?
ecstatic
(32,733 posts)Like seriously, all the Z defenders and sympathizers are driving me nuts! The dialog surrounding this tragedy is such a clear example of the racism problem in this country!
peace13
(11,076 posts)He disregarded their advice and now he is somehow a big hero. If he stalked this young man and disregarded the advice of 911 he has committed murder! We are truly a broken society!
piratefish08
(3,133 posts)wandy
(3,539 posts)Every whack job under the sun, oiling up their cross bow, strapping on their quiver; and goining out looking to be a hero.
"that one looks Jewish and that ones a Coon.
Who let all this riffraff into the room.
Theirs one smoking a joint and another with spots.
If I had my way I'd have all of them shot!"
Roger Waters
vaberella
(24,634 posts)geardaddy
(24,931 posts)Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,505 posts)Initech
(100,104 posts)tabatha
(18,795 posts)99Forever
(14,524 posts).. I'll require someone to explain to me why I should give a fat rat's a$$ what that little jerk thinks or says. They should have sealed his dumb butt in Al Capone's "secret vault" permanently.
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)He's got the secret "Zimmerman" tapes he found in Al Capones vault.
Go away Geraldo. Time for a jury to sort this out.
bowens43
(16,064 posts)he was carrying a gun, looking for trouble. That is premeditation.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)and he was hoping to find a patsy to pin it on, making himself the hero detective of the whole story...